Citizens of the states Apure, Bolívar, Miranda, Mérida, Monagas and Lara heeded the call made by María Corina Machado and the Unitary Platform to demonstrate this Sunday, December 1 to demand, once again, abide by the results of July 28, the freedom of political prisoners and speed to the International Criminal Court
The opposition led by María Corina Machado, the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD) and activists called for a large national protest inside and outside Venezuela on December 1. The demonstrations were held virtually and in person.
The purpose of the activity was to denounce, once again, “the persecution and repression of the administration of Nicolás Maduro”, and to call on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to accelerate the process against the Venezuelan ruler.
This is how the in-person activity was carried out – meetings in churches at midday, lighting white candles and displaying banners with “clear messages” – in Apure, Bolívar, Carabobo, Lara, Miranda, Mérida, Monagas and Yaracuy.
Read also: María Corina Machado: “Today we turn to the ICC so that justice is done”
Hurry “Until the end”
On the morning of this December 1, World Human Rights Day, the streets of Apure dawned full of graffiti on walls and posters: “Freedom now”, “Until the end” and “Now” were some of the messages written in color red, all accompanied by prints of open hands, in red as well.
“Democracy now”
Several rallies were held in the state of Bolívar. Rashid Yasbek, leader of Primero Justicia (PJ), led the activity that took place in the San Antonio María Claret de Chirica parish, in San Félix; reported the Caroní Mail. While the unionist Rubén González and Zaida Vahlis, deputy of the Legislative Council of the state of Bolívar (CLEB), led the demonstration in Puerto Ordaz.
«What we are demanding is within the constitutional bases. Article 5 of the Constitution says that “Sovereignty resides in the people and exercises it through suffrage.” On July 28, the sovereign went out to vote and decided that Edmundo González Urrutia is the elected president of Venezuela,” González recalled.
For his part, Vahlis highlighted that the protest on December 1 is part of the fight “of good against evil”; also that it is a demand for the release of all political prisoners: «We demand freedom now, democracy now. “Let democracy be restored and popular sovereignty respected.”
At the other end of the country, in Barquisimeto, Lara state, the demonstration was led by Oswaldo Méndez, general secretary of the electrical workers of the western entity, who highlighted the fight for the release of political prisoners, both civil and military, and requested the cessation of the persecution of political, social and union leaders.
«Today we respond to María Corina Machado’s call to ask for the release of political prisoners and their families, who live in a very precarious situation. We ask for an end to the persecution of the leaders for defending a legitimate victory on July 28,” Méndez expressed to The Impulse.
In Santa Cruz de Mora, Mérida state, citizens raised their voices after the Midnight Mass: “Enough of the persecutions, political prisoners and so much pain in the country,” they demanded.
#Venezuela | In Santa Cruz de Mora, state #Meridacitizens raised their voices after the Midnight Mass: “Enough of the persecutions, political prisoners and so much pain in the country,” they demanded. pic.twitter.com/WnSs7SZbRo
— VPITV (@VPITV) December 1, 2024
The protests in Miranda and Monagas
“Despite the persecution, we continue standing, showing the world that we will continue fighting for the freedom of our country!”, reported the Comando Con Venezuela in its account on X, where it published images of this Sunday’s activity in the Petare parish. from the Sucre municipality of Miranda state.
Fear cannot be stronger than the force of truth!🇻🇪
From Sucre, we remain stronger than ever.
📍 Sucre Municipality, Petare Parish pic.twitter.com/OC1vSdz4r8
— Commando Con Vzla Miranda (@ConVzlaMiranda) December 1, 2024
In Monagas, protesters also published images of their activities and claims. Inhabitants of Maturín, El Furrial, Alto de los Godos, Temblador, Uracoa and Ezequiel Zamora, painted their hands red, representing the victims of the government and demanding justice.
Police deployment in Carabobo and Yaracuy
In Valencia, capital of the Carabobo state, the corner of 137th Street (the corner of Tijerazo), where opposition rallies usually take place, dawned full of state police officials
Six patrol cars and more than 11 motorcycles were stationed at the scene. In addition to officials who keep walking down the street, he reported The Carabobeño.
Meanwhile, access to the Paramacay fort, on Universidad de Naguanagua avenue, after the Guaparo vial, is hindered at this time. Some military personnel guard the place between cones and metal barriers.
In the state of Yaracuy, the scene of Valencia was repeated, “this December 1, the streets adjacent to the cathedral of San Felipe, capital of the state, as well as the Virgen del Valle Church, were heavily guarded,” he indicated. Yaracuy Al Día.
«Anti-riot teams from the National Guard (GN) took over the streets adjacent to the Cathedral, while the Bolivarian National Police (PNB) did the same in the Plazoleta Monseñor Tomás Márquez Gómez, which is located on Avenida Cedeño next to the Virgen Catholic temple. del Valle”, published the local media.
Political leaders of Vente Venezuela and parties of the Unitary Platform in Yaracuy, interviewed by the newspaper, explained unofficially that, at least in the metropolitan municipalities, they do not plan to carry out street activities or protests this Sunday.
Hours later, in towns of San Felipe and the municipalities of Bolívar, Peña and La Trinidad, some citizens joined the protest called by Machado, but with their faces covered or with their backs turned and with a banner in hand, they demanded answers from the ICC, about the situation in Venezuela, also demanding justice and freedom.
“Freedom for young people”, “San Felipe Parish raises its voice”, “January 10 is now”, “Peña won”, were some of the messages.
Candles, caps, red lipstick and flags were also part of what was used by the protesters, who apparently met in non-public spaces, during this activity that took place in different regions and countries.
There were no spokespersons from opposition leaders, he highlighted Yaracuy Al Día.
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